Itinerary
After arrive in Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu, our representative will greet you and transfer to your designated hotel.
Overnight at Hotel
Meal Plan: B
Today is free day. You can visit Kathmandu on your own.
Overnight at Hotel
Meal Plan: B
Today you will transfer to the airport and fly to Lhasa. After arriving in Lhasa Gonggar Airport you will be met and driven to Tsetang at the head of the Yarlung and Tsangpo rivers. Dominating the valleys, Tsetang was founded in 1351 by Jangchub Gyaltsen, an abbot of the Phagmo Drupa sect. In Tibetan mythology, human beings were descended from the union of a demoness and Avalokitesvara, the God of Compassion in the form of a monkey. Legend has it that the divine pair came down to earth to play at Tsetang, and the name literally means “playground.” The monasteries were badly damaged during the Cultural Revolution. Perhaps the best preserved temple is the Sang-ngag Zimche Nunnery, housing an old statue of Tibet’s first Buddhist king, Songtsen Gampo. You will stay at Tsetang Hotel during your stay in the Yarlung Valley.
Overnight at Tsetang hotel - The best hotel
Meal Plan: D
Today you will spend the day exploring the beautiful Yarlung Tsangpo Valley, the cradle of Tibetan civilization. When you are ready in the morning, you will drive to the river and take a ferry with all of the local people across the river to Samye. Because of the sand-bars, the boat cannot just go straight and has to weave all around the water and shoreline. Samye is Tibet's first monastery, built over 1200 years ago by Trisong Detsen under the auspices of the two Indian teachers, Padmasambhava and Shantarashita. Here, Buddhism was formally inaugurated as the state religion and Tibet's first monks were trained and ordained by the Abbot Shantarashita. The design of the monastery, like most monasteries and temples, is symbolic. Samye is a mirror of the Buddhist universe, with the main temple as Mount Sumeru, the mythical monument at the center of the cosmos. Side chapels represent the four continents and subcontinents. Samye has been damaged over time by fires and the Cultural Revolution. Nevertheless, it was not totally destroyed and one can sense its long history and appreciate the paintings and statues.
From Samye, you will recross the river and travel to Yongbulakang, the oldest known dwelling in Tibet. Its history goes back to the semi-mythical king Nyatri Tsenpo, who was said to have descended from heaven on a rainbow. Yombulakang, like many of the monasteries, was totally destroyed during the Cultural Revolution, and the present replica was rebuilt in 1982. You will have to walk very slowly for about 45 minutes (not easy at this altitude) up to the building. The ground floor shrine honors the ancient kings of Tibet and the upper story houses a beautiful chapel. Perhaps the highpoint of the visit will be the late afternoon views and the shades of colors stretching for miles across the barren Tibetan plateau as the sun is going down.
Overnight at Tsetang Hotel
Meal Plan: B, L, D
Leaving Tsetang, you will head west along the Tsangpo River. Your drive is quite spectacular. Your first stop will be Mindroling Monastery, founded by Terdak Lingba in 1676. Despite the relative "newness" of this monastery, it is the first of the Nyingmapa monasteries in Tibet and was rebuilt several times. The Nyingmapas are the oldest Buddhist sect in Tibet founded in the eighth century by Padmasambhava. then drive about 100 Km to Yamdrok Yutso Lake. The sacred lake of Yamdrok Yutso (4,480 metres) is served as a talisman, supporting the life-spirit of the Tibetan nation. It is said that should its waters dry, Tibet will no longer be habitable. By far the largest lake in South Tibet (754 square Km), the pincer-shaped Yamdrok Yutso has nine islands, one of which houses a monastery and a Padmasambhava stone footprint. The main highway from Lhasa to Gyantse descends to the northern lakeshore from Gampa La pass (4,794 meters) where you will enjoy the unforgettable vista of its pincer-shaped expanse of turquoise water, with the mysterious Mount Donang Sangwari (5,340 meters) on the peninsula beyond, and snow peaks of Nojin Gangzang (7,191 meters) in the distance. After the lake visit, we will drive to the `town of Gyantse.
Before we reach Gyantse Will visit the Taklung Monastery, (Taglung Gompa) is a Kagyu Buddhist monastery.
The monastery was founded in 1180 CE by Taklung Thangpa Tashi Pal (1142–1210), on a site previously inhabited by a famous Kadampa lama, Potawa, who was a disciple of Dromton (1005–1064), Atisha's chief disciple. It is the main seat of the Taklung Kagyu, one of the four chief schools of the Kagyu sect.
After that we will keep drive another one hour to Gyantse.
Overnight at Gyantse hotel
Meal Plan: B, L, D
After breakfast we will visit the fantastic artwork and architecture of Pelkar Chode Monastery and its associated Kumbum Temple. The great monastic complex of Gyantse is known as Pelkar Chode. Gyantse Kumbum Temple is the great octagonal stupa of Gyantse – one of Tibet’s outstanding artistic achievements, was built and decorated in between 1427-1439 by Prince Rabten Kunzang Phak in the style known as Kumbum, which combines a terraced stupa exterior with multi-layered interior chapels. Rising 35 m high, the stupa is said to have 108 gates, nine storeys and 75 chapels. Lunch at the local restaurant in Gyantse and then drive one an half an hour to Shigatse.
Afternoon we visit to the magnificent Tashilhunpo Monastery. Tashilhunpo Monastery, the seat of the Penchen Lamas, was founded in 1447 by Dalai Lama I, Gendun Drub. Tashilhunpo is counted among the six largest Gelukpa Monastery in Tibet, formerly housing 4,700 monks at its peak, and it has the appearance of a monastic city. It would be enjoyable to take the 3 kilometres pilgrimage circuit around the complex, including the Dolmari ridge to the rear would be good scenery. The original building was built above a sacred sky-burial site, the stone slab of which is still to be seen on the floor within. The building in the west part of the complex Jamkhang Chenmo houses the world’s largest gilded copper image, 26 metres in height. This image was constructed during the First World War, this massive Maitreya, embodying loving kindness, contains 6700 steals of gold and 150 metric tons of copper. This is a must see image in Tashilhunpo. At the center of the Monastery is a courtyard that was used as a theater for religious dances. Just off the courtyard is the chanting hall. Step into the dark and evocative hall and its side altars, and visit an adjacent kitchen where tremendous vats of yak butter tea boil steadily.
Overnight at Shigatse Tashichoda hotel
Meal Plan: B, L, D
After breakfast we drive back to Lhasa by Tsanpo road which is approx. 5 hours drive. Lunch in Lhasa and in the afternoon can be arranged to visit the Bharkhor Street.
Overnight at Hotel Shangrila
Meal Plan: B, L, D
Today we will bring you to the part of the city that has the richest culture and spirits, Barkhor and Jokhang. The Jokhang temple is Tibet’s most sacred shrine, the focal point of pilgrims from the entire Tibetan plateau. The Newar queen of Songtsen Gampo had the temple built in 767AD. On the roof of Jokhang you can take some marvelous photos of Barkhor Market and southeastern view of the Potala Palace in the far. Barkhor is one of the three principal routes around Lhasa, followed by pilgrims and traders alike. It gets more interesting with its prolific market stalls.
By the afternoon we will travel to the northeastern suburb of Lhasa, and visit two famous monasteries: Sera and Phabonkha. After lunch we will head to Sera, in time for the 3pm debates. Sera was founded in 1419 by Tsongkhpa’s dispel Jamchen Choje. The Monastery is famous for its Tantric teaching, and it has 3 major Tantric Colleges within the Monastery.
Today you will have an early start. After a quick breakfast we will head to the ancient palace of Potala, built by King Songtsen Gampo in 637 on Mount Marpori. In terms of global perception, it is this relic of Tibet’s past, present, and future national aspirations, more than any other, which uniquely symbolizes Tibet, like the Great Wall of China or the Vatican in Italy. This 13-storeyed edifice was among the world’s tallest building prior to the advent of the 20th century skyscraper, and grandest building in Tibet. You will be able to explore the myriad rooms, assembly halls, and the immense. Depends the ticket timing you can visit the Loukhang temple behind of the Potala before or after.
Overnight at hotel Shangrila
Meal Plan: B, L, D
After breakfast we will head to the north of Lhasa to Ganden monastery (optional)
Ganden is 80 kilometers northeast of Lhasa. [1] The monastery lies in a hilly natural amphitheater.
Ganden is one of the "great three" Geluguniversity monasteries of Tibet, It is in Dagzê County, Lhasa. The other two are Sera Monastery and Drepung Monastery. Ganden Monastery was founded in 1409 by Je Tsongkhapa Lozang-dragpa- founder of the Gelug order.
After visit the Ganden we will drive down to the park below to have our picnic lunch in the park then drive anther half hour to Drak Yerpa.
Drak Yerpa, a cave and holy retreat center, is 34 kilometers northeast of Lhasa near a tributary of the Lhasa River described as the "life tree" or spiritual axis of Lhasa.
Hikers and pilgrims climb up winding stairways to a complex of caves and temples. Some of the caves on the ridge were inhabited by hermits as far back as 1500 years ago. Several important religious and historical figures spent time in retreat in the caves. The caves are naturally beautiful, with a view over-looking the valley. Some contain chapels of large statues of Buddhist figures.
Tucci in 1949 describes it: "Yerpa appeared suddenly before my eyes as a bend of the road, a cascade of small white buildings along steep overgrown cliffs. One could have thought one was not in Tibet. Hot lunch will provide there Drive back to Lhasa in the afternoon.
We will drive approx 3 an half an hour today in total.
The farewell Dinner will arrange in the best Tibetan restaurant.
Today you will be transferred to airport and fly back to Kathmandu.
Overnight at hotel
Meal Plan: B
Today you will be transferred to the airport according to your flight schedule for departure.
Meal Plan: B
